MAP23: The Atrium (Jenesis)

MAP23: The Atrium is the twenty-third map of Jenesis. It was designed by James Paddock (Jimmy), who also composed the level's music track, "Distant Tranquility." The par time is 2:40.

Essentials
Press the satyr switch in front of you to go down to a small room and kill any imps that teleport in, then open the north door to enter a small courtyard with a caged chaingunner on guard. Open the door opposite the chaingunner and kill any mutants waiting on the ledge above, then look south-west and press another satyr switch to lower a set of bars on the north side of the lower level - behind these bars is a skull switch guarded by one or two revenants and an arachnotron. Press the skull switch to lower a second set of bars to the east, go through to collect a chaingun then press both of the skull switches here followed by the two gargoyle switches to the east to lower them. Kill one or two Hell knights (or a baron of Hell on Ultra-Violence (UV) and Nightmare (NM) skill levels) waiting behind the switches then step on to the stone ledge, noting one or two mancubi in the distance, and look north-west to a marble pillar with a skull switch on it. Shoot this switch to lower the pole behind you holding the yellow skull key.

Return to the starting point and open the south door to enter a carpeted hall with a knight (or baron on Hurt Me Plenty (HMP) or higher), then continue south through another door to find some imps and a demon guarding a super shotgun; make sure to run through this weapon as a crusher will activate directly above it. Go outside and turn left to kill some more imps and demons, then follow the walkway (which is overlooked by more mancubi) round a corner to find one or two knights guarding a lion switch. Press the switch then go back to the walkway entrance to find that some imps have appeared, and some bars have lowered allowing you to reach another lion switch - after pressing this second switch, go back to the carpeted hall to find that the blue skull key has lowered so you can collect it. (It is possible to take the key without stepping on its plinth, which will prevent a monster ambush.)

After taking the blue key, kill the knights (and baron on UV and NM) that teleport in, then press the blue skull button in the north-east corner to lower the bars blocking the door back to the starting room. Head north back to the courtyard and go up to the upper level again, then open the south door (requiring the blue key) and kill a couple of demons blocking your way to another door. Open this door and kill some waiting lost souls and zombies, take the backpack then open the west door to find a narrow passage blocked by spectres. Fight your way through to another door and open it to face one or two cacodemons, then slowly walk through the door until you see the wall ahead lower; if done correctly, you can kill the lost souls hiding ahead without having to drop into the lava. Once the way is clear, drop into the lava and press the lion switch ahead to lower it, revealing the red skull key.

From the red key, step back on to the lion switch to return to the floor above then head south through two doors to get outside, where a rocket launcher is guarded by a few monsters. Flip the red key switch in the south-east corner to open a lift leading back down to the crusher room, then activate a second lift straight ahead and kill a demon/spectre waiting on it before going up to a ledge with a revenant (or arachnotron on HMP or higher) and some lost souls. Open the north door to confront a baron and mutants standing at an altar, then continue north through a second door to face demons, lost souls and a cacodemon (or pain elemental on HMP or higher). Press the satyr switch at the north end to reveal an eye switch behind you, as well as bringing in a revenant and arch-vile, then press the eye switch to release one or two mancubi behind you as well as allowing demons to teleport in.

Run north-west to drop into the courtyard, then head east and south through some newly-lowered bars to reach a gargoyle switch which is defended by a baron (or arch-vile on HMP or higher). Press the switch to raise a platform behind you holding more barons, press the button that has been revealed in front of that platform to lower the blocking wall then run east across some red rocks to reach the white outer ledge. Press the switch on the east side of the marble pillar you shot at earlier to open the cavern behind you, kill an arch-vile that is released then enter the dark tunnel inside this cavern to finish the level.

Other points of interest
When you ride the lift up in the courtyard you will see a backpack and two medikits ahead. Stepping on them opens a door to the north, revealing two or three revenants and an armor.

The mancubus compartment opened by pressing the eye switch near the end of the level contains a plasma gun, along with a supercharge on UV and NM.

Secrets

 * 1) In the corridor which leads to the red key, open the door leading into the lava and walk slowly so that the wall ahead lowers. Turn around and use the skull switch to lower the altar holding the invulnerability. This area counts as two secrets. (sector 295)
 * 2) See secret #1. (sector 199)
 * 3) Once you have the red key, use it on the switch at the end of the paths to raise the bars. Take the lift back down to the crusher room, and instead of using the next lift, go outside and to the west. The red bars here will have lowered as well. An arch-vile guards a computer area map here. (sector 286)
 * 4) Now take the lift you ignored in the previous secret, then open the next door. In this small room, lower the altar to pick up a chainsaw. (sector 134)
 * 5) From the previous secret, take the next door into the field. Head towards the next switch, then look south-west and try to spot a small green button. If you find it, use it, then run to the lowered altar on the other side of the field for a partial invisibility. (sector 185)
 * 6) Hop the rocks to the exit area, then use the rocks to the north and go along the path westward. Drop into the lava and enter the cave with spectres. Use the lift to get a megasphere. (sector 214)

Current records
The records for the map at the Doom Speed Demo Archive are:

The data was last verified in its entirety on February 23, 2023.

Statistics
These statistics are based on the map version in jenefix.wad of September 13, 2013.

Things
This level contains the following numbers of things per skill level:

Trivia

 * This level was included in the original release of Jenesis, where it occupied the MAP09 slot. It was moved to MAP16 in Part 2, then to MAP23 in Part 3.